Staff Member: Rev. William Cocco

Rev.WilliamCocco

Father Cocco was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He is the youngest of five boys, he also has two step sisters. His family moved to the Rehoboth Beach area in 1986.
He was Police officer for the Ocean City Maryland police department, he worked in patrol for 3 years and as a detective for 6 years. He was also a member of the Swat team for 8 years. Father often tells people that he changed his vocation from police officer to priest so that he could then go to the parties before the fights broke out.
Father Cocco answered the call to the priesthood in September of1999 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 2004. His first assignment was to St. John the beloved Parish in Wilmington where he served as associate pastor for 5 years. He was then made Chaplain of St. Mark’s High School in the fall of 2009 with residence in St. Mary of the Assumption Parish. In June of 2010 he was appointed pastor of Christ Our King Parish in Wilmington, in addition to his duties as Chaplain for St. Mark’s. In June of 2012 he was appointed pastor of St. John the Beloved parish in Wilmington. In June of 2015 he was appointed pastor of St Edmond in Rehoboth Beach.
Fr. Cocco has served on the Diocesan Priest Council and father is currently in his 8th year as a member of the diocesan personnel board. He has also served as the Chaplain to the Wilmington Fire Department.
He enjoys cooking, traveling, gardening , collecting clocks and cigars! Fr. Cocco is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and current Chaplain to the Knights Star of the Sea Council. He is also the proud father of one very special miniature Dachshund named “Zeek”.